Night Terror cruises in $51,900 DSBF Final

Night Terror (Badlands Hanover) was victorious in the $51,900 Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund Final at Bally’s Dover on Thursday night (March 30) for three-year-old harness racing pacing colts.

Night Terror, the 1/2 betting favorite, showed off his quick early speed and reached the lead easily. Notte’s Mist settled in the pocket and the rest followed single file.

Night Terror reached the opening quarter in :27.3. Driver Allan Davis backed the half to a moderate :57 half, a :29.2 split. The outside tier was in motion heading down the backstretch.

Delightinhisglory surged first over without cover. Ajayi shadowed second over and was in perfect position to pounce. Galway Guy was third over on the outside.

Night Terror rebuffed the challenges and continued confidently on the lead reaching the three quarters in 1:25, a :28 flat quarter.

At the top of the stretch, Nottes’s Mist charged from out of the pocket saving ground, however that bid stalled. Night Terror won in hand in 1:52.4 by one and a half lengths.  It was a lifetime mark. He paid $3.00 to win.

NIGHT TERROR REPLAY

Night Terror is owned by Leblanc Racing, W. Lutz Jr, Count De Money Stable and R. Jones. He is trained by Steve LeBlanc. Notte’s Mist finished second for trainer Wayne Givens. Trae Porter drove. Bad Boy Too was third for trainer Mike Hall.

Longshot, Heinikin Bythebay (Southwind Lynx) just held on at the wire in winning the $27,500 Blue Hen/ Open Handicap Pace.

Sparks were flying early at the start of the race as three pacers fought for the early advantage.

Grand Cayman held his ground and parked out betting favorite Island Of The Sea and Heinikin Bythebay, who was parked three wide. They raced to the quarter in :26.2.

Island Of The Sea cleared past the quarter then released an already parked out Heinikin Bythebay and driver Tim Tetrick, who led to the half mile in :54.2.

Capt Jack Hanover took his cue past the half and braved a coverless, first over trip on the rim and down the backstretch.  Downers Delight was towed into a second over trip.

Heinikin Bythebay and Capt Jack Hanover dueled to the three quarters in 1:22.1. At the top of the stretch, Heinikin Bythebay maintained a dwindling lead and just held on at the finish to win by a nose in a heart pounding 1:51.2.  He paid a tasty, $23.00 for the win. Island Of The Season was second with Grand Cayman third.

HEINIKIN BYTHEBAY REPLAY

Heinikin Bythebay is owned by Kdk Standardbreds of Harrington, Delaware and is trained by Kevin Switzer.

Tony Morgan was the leading driver for the Bally’s Dover meeting and Joe Columbo was the leading trainer for the meet. Penzance Hanover was voted the Bally’s Dover Horse Of The Meet.

For complete race results, click here.

by Alex Kraszewski, for Bally’s Dover